Baxter Global Supplier Sustainability Program

Information taken from the Baxter website and Sustainable Sourcing.

Baxter, the US healthcare giant, recently launched a new Global Supplier Sustainability programme. The aim of the programme is to drive progress toward its corporate sustainability goal; to incorporate green principles into its purchasing programme with suppliers.

The programme is focused in four areas:

1. green supply chain
2. customs-trade partnership against terrorism (C-TPAT)
3. material regulatory compliance and;
4. supplier environment, health and safety audits.

As part of the programme, suppliers who engage in activities that result in positive environmental results for both themselves and Baxter, such as changing a manufacturing process that reduces energy usage, will receive recognition.

Baxter believes that programmes such as this can help reduce the carbon footprints of both Baxter and it's suppliers. The programme also includes 20 green criteria that will be used to assess Baxter's suppliers, for example if they have an environmental or sustainability program and how they are reducing their carbon footprint and natural resource use.

As part of the global business community, Baxter is committed to working with its suppliers to improve their environmental performance, purchase products with reduced environmental impacts and minimize transportation-related emissions.

Last quarter, Sustainable Sourcing reported that Baxter's sutainability programmes have resulted in cost savings of over $90 million since 2003. Central to the company's sustainability efforts is it's association with the US's Global Supplier Network - a collaboration of industry, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Baxter's Head of Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Chain, Tina Bova, told Sustainable Sourcing

'The GSN works with large manufacturers, such as Baxter, to engage their suppliers in low-cost technical reviews to identify strategies for improving process lines and using materials more efficiently'. 

It's an ambitious programme - and one which should ensure that the long-term environmental credentials of its global supply base - and there's ample evidence that these suppliers are embracing the changes.
 
'Many suppliers are very interested in working with us to share knowledge and help improve their environmental performance', said Bova. 'One supplier has realised cost savings of more than $200,000 a year through improved material-handling practices, enhanced material utilisation and reduced waste generation and other opportunities'.

To find out more about Baxter's sustainable supply chain initiatives, click here